Factors associated with the presence of fear of contagion and burnout syndrome in nursing personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing personnel presented a higher prevalence of fear of contagion, anxiety symptoms, depression, and burnout syndrome. However, the variables associated with these conditions in Mexico are unknown.

Objective:

To determine the clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological variables associated with fear of contracting COVID-19 and burnout syndrome in nursing personnel.

Methods:

The study was a cross-sectional correlational study. It included 423 Mexican nursing professionals, working in public and private institutions, of different specialties aged 18–61 years (M = 36 years), the sampling was non-probabilistic by convenience. The instruments used were: COVID-19 fear scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyse the results.

Results:

The factors associated with fear of contagion were anxiety symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR]: 7.806, p < 0.05), caring for patients with COVID-19 (OR: 5.460, p < 0.05, 0.001) and mild emotional exhaustion (OR: 5.181, p < 0.05). The syndrome dimensions were: depressive symptoms (OR: 12.062; 7.667, p < 0.05), fear of contagion (OR: 4.978; 4.913; 4.921; 4.921, p < 0.01), marital status (OR: 3.404; 3.219, p < 0.05) and young age (OR: 1.064; 1.084, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The factors associated with fear of contagion and burnout syndrome found were having clinical psychological symptoms, as well as being young, being single, being married and being in the health system caring for patients with COVID-19.